DEAR BLACK PEOPLE

Why are you screaming “Black Lives Matter” when you really don’t believe that black lives matter? If the lives of your fellow brothers and sisters mattered, you would be in the community protesting when we murder one of our own, not just when other races do it. When a black man is gunned down in the streets by another black man, we divide as community. We turn a blind eye, because in most neighborhoods “Snitches end up in ditches.” Homicide cases go unsolved because people are too afraid to speak up, but the people who aren’t scared would rather take matters into their own hands. As soon as a white person guns one of us down we can come together. Why? Because no matter who was in the wrong, the black community wants justice for the black kid. Siblings have a saying “Just because I can talk about my brother, it doesn’t mean you can.” Blacks have a similar saying “I can kill black people because I am black, but you can’t because you aren't black.” Does that make it right? If you can't stand for BLM when it involves blacks killing blacks, then don’t stand for it when whites kill us. If you really have the right intentions and are involved in the movement, race would not play a factor; you would be fighting for justice no matter what. Let's come together and defend our fellow brothers and sisters from all races, including our own.

Hair shouldn’t even be an issue within the
black community. Just because we like our real hair long and straight
doesn’t mean we have forgotten our genetic traits. Just
because we put four bundles of Brazilian hair in our head doesn’t
mean we are bald underneath. Just because we prefer our
natural kinky hair doesn’t mean we are necessarily for the culture
more than anyone else. Wear your bundles and straight hair proud,
embrace 4c hair the same as you would embrace 4a hair. Men, we love your
afro/thot boy cuts, just as much as we love your waves. Be yourself and WEAR your hair however you please.

Let’s embrace our multiple shades and really understand what my black is beautiful means. If you are light skinned, then own it. Don’t hide your true beauty because others say you aren’t dark enough for the culture. If you are dark skinned, don’t let anyone tell you your melanin isn’t popping. Let’s stop bringing each other down and love one another; let’s show the world that black girls rock and spread some black boy joy. We may be different shades but we are one race. Light skins are not outdated and dark skins are not ugly. Black people, let’s please stop dividing each other by our skin tone.

Can we accept the fact that we are different and get along with one another? It is time for the black community to come together and stop letting foolish things separate us as a people. Let’s learn to love our brothers and sister for who they really are. Lets show younger generations that the black race is a great race.

Nobody can seem to agree on whether or not people in the LGBTQ+ community should put labels such as these on their sexual orientations. Well, I’ve got the answer for you.

Stop trying to answer it.

Whether someone chooses to identify, openly or not, with a certain sexual orientation is none of your business. It’s their choice, not yours. Not mine. Not anyone else’s. There are valid reasons for both holding a nameable identity and avoiding labeling sexuality.

Some advantages of naming a specific identity could potentially include making sense of an identity that is different from the normative one, becoming part of a network of people who understand, and utilizing the term as a tool to explore different identities.

Some advantages of avoiding “labels” for sexuality could potentially include feeling free to explore sexuality in its fluidity, avoid what feels to some like constraints, and allowing for the often unclear nature of sexuality.

But unless you are the one questioning whether or not to use a label for your own sexual identity (or aiding a friend in this pondering), then you don’t need to worry yourself with any of this. It’s a personal choice. You don’t need to present an opinion on this if it does not apply to you.

20 Powerful Quotes By 20 Powerful Women

If you're feeling unmotivated, uninspired, or discouraged, you're not alone. Women everywhere are being made to feel as if they're lesser simply for speaking their minds and living their lives the way they desire. We are incredibly fortunate to thrive in a world with so many influential, outstanding women.

It's important to have positive role models to look up to amid all the chaos, so here are 20 powerful quotes by 20 powerful women.

1. "I don't care what you think about me. I don't think about you at all." — Coco Chanel

2. “I’m tough, ambitious and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, Okay.” — Madonna

4. “Women are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

5. “Doubt is a killer. You just have to know who you are and what you stand for.” — Jennifer Lopez

6. "Nothing will work unless you do." — Maya Angelou

7. “Once you figure out what respect tastes like, it tastes better than attention.” — Pink

8. "You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it's important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages." — Michelle Obama

9. “I am a woman with thoughts and questions and shit to say. I say if I’m beautiful. I say if I’m strong. You will not determine my story — I will.” — Amy Schumer

10. “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.” — Mother Teresa

11. “You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.” — Rosalynn Carter

12. "I don't like to gamble, but if there's one thing I'm willing to bet on, it's myself." — Beyoncé

13. “Everyone has inside of her a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be, how much you can love, what you can accomplish, and what your potential is.” — Anne Frank